Gardener Paul & the general update!

Here is a proud man in his garden! (isn't he cute?) ;-) He has faithfully checked, babied and worried over this little square of dirt and seeds, just like a Gardener should! The sproutlings have grown into plants and are looking pretty darn good for the most part! The snap peas aren't really wanting to hurry ... nor are the beets or carrots, but they're up and fighting for a chance! The weather has been so very wet ... it would be nice to have a couple days of sunshine to bring out the procrastinator plants! They must be like me, freezing most of the time! HAHA! I came back from Utah's 95 to 100 degree heat to a day that didn't even go above 60 and rained like crazy! What a contrast the two mountain ranges are!

Anyway, see the tomato????? If you double click on the picture, you should see a little tomato about the size of a large marble! Things are really happening here! We're hoping for food eventually .. we will, of course, keep you posted!

I missed announcing my brother-in-law's birthday ... sorry, Paul, but HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! (This is my sister's husband). Also, my friend Donna, who I was in Utah with, has a birthday on August 5th and I don't want to forget it so ... HAPPY BIRTHDAY DONNA!!!!!!!! Also, a very special 4 year old will have a birthday on August 6th, CHRISTIAN! You'll be hearing more about that though, so I won't go into detail too much tonight ... he is having a break dancing birthday bash though! Hope we can rise to the occasion! My son, Jon and Melissa are leaving for a cruise to Mexico Wed., y'all have BIG FUN and enjoy your vacation (FINALLY).

I began my training at Lowes on Tuesday. I have been sitting in front of a computer terminal for 5-6 straight hours every day training for the position. There is more to learn than I could have imagined, and I get pretty saturated by the end of my shift! Because I'm going right into sales, I have double training ... the sales standards and employee policies for Lowes; and the Lowe's process to design and order cabinets. Then there is the part where I have to learn how to drive fork lifts and things (oh Lord! They know NOT what they are asking!!!!!) I'm going into a dept. with a high powered sales gal who is from Germany (Sabina) and the manager is a laid back southern guy (who Paul actually worked with at Dirk's when Paul first arrived in NC) who's name is Mark. So, it ought to be interesting, as everything is in this life!

We're hoping to have a movie day tomorrow if all works out. I actually have tomorrow off and so does Paul! We've been trying to find a break in the weather to mow the yard and hoe the garden, but we decided our back up plan will be a movie!! I could use a mental break!

Paul's little car is having a clutch problem, so that's yet another project! As with all things related to his car, we'll have to order that from some obscure place (usually on e-bay or some such place), and meanwhile Charles has been kind enough to lend him a car! We are truly blessed with the friends we've made around here. They are all generous and kind, even to us "foreigners". Charles took Paul to Jonesborough, TN today. It's about an hour west from our house ... close to where we have to go for Barnes & Noble and etc. Paul said it was a typical little (circa 1910) town with all brick (mostly red and brown) and great old architecture with narrow streets and hills all around. Somehow he found an "English shoppe" and although they didn't seem to carry much food, he managed to find some English chocolate Flakes and McVities biscuits! Nice little treat!

We are hoping everyone is healthy, loved, joyous, wealthy and wise this summer season! And I personally am hoping everyone is warmer than I am! HAHA! Cheers to all! Paul & Cheri

MOOSE!!!! Oh My Gosh!!!

We went hiking across a path between Deer Park and Brighton yesterday for our final day of adventure. We were blessed with a moose sighting!!!! There were 4 BIG moose out in an aspen grove just grazing away. They gave us quite a show, rolling around in the grass; the younger ones played and romped as the older ones ate and ate! SO MUCH FUN!

The upper pics are what it would be like to drive the tractor that is cutting a new ski run! OH MY GOSH ... he kept sliding back down - very interesting to watch!

And the pic of the lake is where we ended up during our hike. I'm sure this lake has a proper name, but we just named is Moose Lake! It was beautiful and looked very similar to Alaska, if you take out the aspens!

On our way home today .... will touch base when I get an update on Paul's life!

Greetings from Utah (Park City and beyond)

Sure is pretty out here! Just wanted to share the VAST beauty this place has with all y'all! The condo is about 5,000 ft above sea level ... the lake here (Mirror Lake) is around 9,500 ... the mountain on the top photo is over 12,750 and simply GORGEOUS (and still snow topped!). These mountains are just a tad bigger than the ones we live in!

Olympic Park, Park City, Utah

Olympic Park out here is GREAT FUN!! The skiers run down these slopes and off the ramps and land in a swimming pool!!!!! These guys are simply amazing and it's so relaxing sitting out under the HUGE sky and watching them do the aerial work ... and then, of course, there is the bob sledding!!
(that's Donna and I trying our hand at getting in the thing!) It's beautiful out here, however it's HOT -- that's the desert for you! Temps are 90 and up ... not what I'm used to these days! But gobs of beautiful views and we're hiking today! YEHAW!!!

Paul is at home ... Monday night he played softball --- 4 at bats and 3 runs ... I'm sure as many slide in to bases at bats! He had a great time ... Tuesday he went roller coaster riding with the boys from work (another great day!) He sounds like he's eating and having his usual amount of life fun, so all's well at home! Thank goodness!

Congratulations to Rick and Chris and sure hope you're enjoying your new home!

Hope everyone is well and happy ... Until next time ... Paul & Cheri

Our Sproutlings and other dirt! ...

Here are the sproutlings ... we're so proud! We have bush beans, and half runners (beans), 60 day corn, sugar snaps, beets, carrots, lettuce, zucchini & crookneck squash, cucumbers, sunflowers and pumpkins! The tomato plants are in the bath tub ... which Charles' Nana gave to Paul last week (the tomato plants, not the bath tub)! We're looking forward to fresh food in our future! Yeah!

The upper picture is where Paul is creating a walkway from our basement door, as well as making a place for his bees. He will be getting a swarm of bees soon so we can raise our very own honey! Let me just make this clear right here and now, they are PAUL'S bees ... his idea, his project, his bees! I love honey ... so I'm sure I'll enjoy the benefit of the bees. But they make me a little anxious so I may never go in the backyard again after they arrive .... we'll see!!!!! :-0 But isn't he doing a GREAT job of digging it all out (by hand with a shovel!!!!) and making it just right!?! I know his back is sore ... while he did that today, I mowed this entire ground! Believe me when I tell you that an acre is a lot of mowing, especially with a hand mower! But I sure did get some good exercise out of the deal! And the yard looks nice and tidy so we're happy ... and so are the neighbors (Bruce mows twice a week whether it needs it or not!).

Didn't want to leave town without sharing our sproutling photos!!!!!

Cheers to all, Paul & Cheri

Well, as you can see, the bathtub is no longer in residence on the front porch! After GOBS of huffing and puffing, we managed to get that old cast iron tub pryed loose from the wall and out of the bathroom. With the help of our good friend, Ron O'Dell, who made us a wonderful furniture dolly originally designed to move our piano, we have now moved two exceptionally heavy cast iron bath tubs! Thanks Ron! Anyway ... the old tub is outside waiting for the tomato and herb garden to be planted in it ... which should take place tomorrow. The new tub is temporarily placed in the bathroom. We won't permanently fix everything until the linoleum gets switched out for new ... and the tub faucets come in from the mail order. But hey ... we're in a lot better shape than we were! Thank goodness! It's beginning to come together as far as the bathroom is concerned ... our new and improved project!

Also, the garden has been planted and when Paul came home this evening, he discovered several of the rows had "sproutlings" (his very own word) coming up! So we're looking at sprouted beans and lettuce and beets and sunflowers, so far! It is very exciting, and Paul looks like a little boy at Christmas the way his eyes are twinkling at "his" garden!! We had dinner with some friends tonight to celebrate Paul's company's television premier. (oh my gosh, what a breathtaking estate these folks have at 5200 ft on a mountain top right down the road from the studio!) and Charles the tractor man was there. Paul was so excited to tell him the garden had begun to sprout! Everyone was duly impressed! The Company that Paul works for now (Garden Metal Work) was on HGTV tonight with a job they had done on one of the "improved houses" ... so we had a "get together" with champagne and everything! Very fun ... nice to celebrate, that's for sure! The couple who hosted the evening (Delmos and Anne) live on an old family homestead site, but have built their own home in the midst of 122 acres. It was as close to being in paradise as I think I've ever been!!! Delmos took us out in the "gator" to tour the land ... it was spectacular! Gives us something to aim our BIG dreams toward! It felt like you could almost reach up and touch the stars when they starting popping out! What a HUGE blessing to just be there! Some things are just not able to be put into words!

Changing subjects ... Lowes Building Supply has hired me to be in the cabinet department beginning in a week. So, I will have 3 jobs soon ... (but they probably only total one full time job when it all adds up) like I've said before ... sabbatical is over! However, before the time off comes to a screeching halt, I will be spending a week in Utah beginning Tuesday morning. I'll leave Elk Park on Monday about noon, drive to Charlotte and stay with my friend Norma for an evening of catch up after 3 years or so. Then I'll fly out Tuesday morning to Salt Lake City, returning on the following Monday to Charlotte around 11pm. I have to report to Lowes at 2pm on Tuesday ... so I'll have to sleep fast!! But I'm excited and looking forward to something different in my life. It'll be great to have that "BIG" discount for the house improvement things ... and perhaps full time will come soon and we can have some benefits and retirement enhancements! Wouldn't that be lovely! I'm truly looking forward to the trip to Utah to be with two very good women friends, Dana and Donna. It'll be lovely to have a week of R&R ... and girls "time out". Who knows what all we might get in to! Hiking is lovely out there!

While I'm in Utah Paul is planning on going to Carowinds Amusement Park with his work buddies to ride the roller coasters for an entire day! He deserves to have some fun ... hope it's good for him! I'd rather be in Utah! :-)

Nina, Paul's daughter, turns 21 years old on Monday! Happy Birthday, Nina!!!!! I hope all of your birthday wishes come true and you have a year of all good things!

My good friend and mosaic mentor, Chrissie Grace is in Atlanta at the Atlanta Merchandise Mart this weekend promoting her new endeavor with her art design company. Good luck, Chrissie. I'm sending you lots of good thoughts!

Chris and Rick (Paul's brother) have begun moving into their new home ... good luck you guys! We hope it is an easy and painless move! We know you'll love your new home and we're hoping you'll have a zillion years of happiness there.

Not that I have ever wanted to become a weather reporter ... but ... it has barely gotten over 60 degrees today. This weekend is the Highland Games, in which all the clans come from every where in their kilts to join in the "games" at Grandfather Mountain". I guess they toss telephone poles and etc. All I have to say is, they better put their long johns on under those kilts because they might freeze something vital! It's only about 54 degrees right now! I'm thinking about putting the electric blanket back on the bed tonight! Paul is making fun of me ... a lot!

We're tired from all the excitement around here! Hope y'all are having a wonderful beginning to your weekends! We'll post pics of the sproutlings when I get them taken!

Be well and be happy! Paul & Cheri

Life In the Mountains

Well, we have some great pictures of our planted garden! And some really great pictures of our claw foot bathtub which is now OFF OF THE FRONT PORCH and in the bathroom!!!!!
But currently we have no internet service or cable at the house ... so ... I'll post as soon as I can get back on line from our computer! We're otherwise doing our normal thing, work, sleep, read, eat, and work. Oh, I said that already, sorry!
Do hope all of you are well out there! Happy Birthday to Mandy Taylor, who's birthday is this Saturday, I think!?!?! Hope it's a GREAT birthday, Mandy and a wonderful year to come!
Happy Trails to all, Paul and Cheri

The Garden cometh!

Meet Charles! Charles works with Paul and he has a tractor, amongst other heavy machinery, of course! Paul & Charles barter back and forth with "helping hands" and ended up over here with the ability, time and energy to till us up a space for a garden (for food) ... so ... today was dedicated to getting that space ready. Although today isn't a good day for planting (according to the Farmer's Almanac), the dirt is ready ... so tomorrow and next weekend will be deemed "planting" days at the Glover's ... and in a couple of months we hope to reap whatever we've sewn!!! We will, of course be keeping you posted on this endeavor. So far, it's been a great project. And of course, Paul is metal detecting before we plant just to make sure everything is safe ... and there is no metal hazard in our garden! We have found old pottery pieces, many glass pieces which have come from mason jars and jelly jars over the years ... and a couple of pennies! Will keep you informed if Paul comes across that big stack gold bars we're looking for in the back yard! ;-) Hope your 4th of July was a safe and happy one and your weekend this weekend is fun ... and hopefully relaxing. There is a goat outside "hollering" his guts out ... best go check on things. Until next time ... Paul & Cheri

p.s. I seem to like sideways pictures these days ... please adjust your viewing! Thanks!

On the A.T. again !!

For those of you who are not familiar with The Appalachian Trail hiking system, the white blaze on the tree means it is, in fact, the A.T., and you are on the right path. Essentially if you decide to hike the A.T. from Georgia to Maine (or visa- versa) you simply follow the white blazes! A kin to the "yellow brick road" theory, I'm sure! At any rate, we had 5 or so glorious hours of following the white blazes through some of the most gorgeous forest around. This is only about 20 minutes from our house! We crossed over the yellow mountain pass (actually, more like climbed up!) and saw vistas and views that were vastly soul quenching, to say the very least! There are wild flowers in bloom every where, and the blackberries are just about to bust out in full force! So ... fortunately our journey only included spotting a couple of deer ~ one doe in particular who really held us in her sight for about 2 minutes and left trumpeting her little heart out! I'm hoping she was warning all the bear to hide, because we know they're out there right now ... and I'd rather we just NOT see them!! We see the evidence ... that's enough! At any rate, the red "barn" you see is an actual A.T. shelter, built in 1980's according to the info. It was a great weather barrier, but not good for bear shelter like the ones further south. They are actually made of stone on 3 sides, and a chain link fence and locking gate on the 4th! It was a SUPERB day and it only took us from October to now to get out there! But hopefully, now that we've found our way .... nothing's going to stop us now!

Happy 24th Birthday to Melissa!!!! Hope all your birthday wishes come true this year!

Dancer's Pointe dancers, parents and staff, our thoughts are constantly with you this week! Good luck!

And now, believe it or not, I must leave for the studio to teach a hip hop class! Love to all!